For the most part of her life, Lia has lived on the part of the Island where Favelas clung to the hillside, their wooden slats and metal shacks weathered to a soft gray and brown rust. Fishing nets draped over balconies like colourful tapestries, and boats bobbed in the harbor, their gentle rocking a constant heartbeat.
She never chose that life.
She was just eleven when tragedy struck. Both her parents, murdered in cold blood right in front of her eyes. She had seen the killer but could hardly remember his face. Each time she tried to, she'd always end up screaming her lungs out instead. After that night, Lia lost her voice, the sounds jammed in her throat like a faulty recorder. Thirsty for safety, she couldn't help but elope to the same Island her late father would usually bring her fishing for fun before his demise. There, she was welcomed with open arms by a couple who were kind enough to understand her plight.
Lia's tears came deluging the more as she walked her way back home. Hydrangeas were Hector's favorite. Lia had gone shopping with Clara and had chosen the most expensive dress of white flowery gown in the fairly good boutique around, picking up the best and freshest of hydrangeas from the flower shop simply for the anniversary. The pain and words from Hector cut deeper than a knife that Lia could only sob quietly as her emotions roared from within.
Not wanting to alarm anyone, she wiped her tears as soon as she arrived home. Lia took a deep breath by the entrance— at the door of their shack, fanning her face and putting on a fake smile.
Opening the door to the interior of the shack, Lia's smile soon vanished. She couldn't help but wonder why the dinner she had had prepared for her brother before going to see Hector is still standing on the table, and untouched.
By this hour? Lia thought to herself, peeping outside the window to the coast.
Her stare was rather welcomed by the shimmering lights from afar—from the only private property standing out in the Favela. It is believed to belong to the 'Big boss', a term coined by the locals for someone who is rich. The area is blessed with abundance of fishes and it is quite forbidden for the locals to fish there.
He clearly hasn't trespassed with him, has he?
Several thoughts began to fill the perturbed sister's mind as she grew restless about her brother.
Perhaps, he had a lot of delivery to make that he was delayed of payment?
Delay is not uncommon with customers and could usually take quite a period of hours to have all the fishes delivered and all the money collected.
Lia sighed a relief. She headed to the bathroom to freshen up but returned to the living room to meet the same food as it was. Untouched.
This isn't normal. She thought, drying her wet hair with a towel.
Lia went back in to change, on a mission to find her brother.
"No, I haven't seen him today, Lia," one of the fishers around the coast said after she asked.
The moon was shining brighter as the night deepened. Frustrated yet unrelenting, Lia's face turned to the side of the coast she was standing, her eyes wandering. And as soon as Lia's eyes met with her brother's friends at a farther distance from the coast, she knew something wasn't right. Her brother wasn't with them and her eyes were simply inquiring. They were smart enough to read her expression as she approached them.
"He... He got into trouble with the 'Big Boss'," one of them was bold enough to let it out.
~~
The gate came roaring in the air but it was Lia's hands doing that honor.
Little is known about the 'Big Boss' by the locals. Rumor has it that the owner is notoriously strict, cold and unapproachable and even though she didn't know what to expect of him, Lia believed persuading him should suffice for her brother's release atleast.
But with what? A mouth that couldn't speak?
A huge man with pot belly came glaring at Lia as the gate entrance flew opened.
"How may I help you, young lady?" his voice was cold and stern.
But that didn't intimidate Lia in any way.
Knowing she couldn't find the right means to convey what had brought her there efficiently, she gestured with her hands, hoping the man would understand her at least.
"Oh! You are a dummy," he scowled. "Let me guess, you must be that boy's sister who had been caught trespassing over Mr. Rhysand's property hours ago?"
Mr. Rhysand? Is that the big boss's name?
Lia nodded repeatedly.
"So, what would you like me to do for you?" The man queried further.
"I need to speak with the owner of the villa, please."
The man glared harder at Lia before speaking. "I have no idea what you're talking about, young lady. I don't do sign language. And if you are thinking of getting your brother back, you are in for a rude awakening."
Lia knew Clara, Derek's mother, would probably be back home, hyperventilating right now if the news ever got to her before she returned with her brother.
"His mother would be so worried," she tried to beg him but it seemed no amount of coaxing could ever change his mind.
"There's nothing I can do for you, lass. Your brother had intruded into private property and would most likely be going to prison for his recklessness. A scapegoat for the others he will be."
Mr. Rhysand isn't that cruel, is he?
"No," Lia tried to mumble out loud, but again, her voice was against her. "Please, I beg you. Just this once, let me see the owner of the villa."
"And what even makes you think that Mr. Rhysand would want to speak with kinds like you? A low-life who reek of nothing but fish. Do you even know what it takes to have kinds like him around, talk less of seeing or talking to him? You have no right." He sneered at her. "Go back home."
The man slammed the gate close to Lia's face that her constant banging couldn't change anything.
~~
The next morning...
Lia's eyes fluttered opened as the sun rays danced on her face under the mango tree somewhere around. She couldn't go home last night or even think of leaving without her brother.
Knowing she could be losing time, she came up with a plan.
Lia walked back to the house but didn't knock on the gate. Rather, she followed through the back, climbing and jumping over the wall engulfing the house where no eyes could suspect or notice her intrusion.
Safely landing on the ground, Lia drank in the villa's feature as it exuded a serene atmosphere. The house was a story painted in pure white with nothing extra added except for the golden color of fallen leaves from the extended branch from outside on the ground. Its design blended seamlessly with the surrounding, creating a sense of harmony. The whitewashed wall gleamed in the sunlight, while the terracotta roofs curved tiles added warmth and character.
The hammock sitting right by the corner of the back entrance was glazed with a gentle sea spray that carried the sweet scent of frangipani and hibiscus, as the soft Island breeze rocked it gently, inviting relaxation and tranquility. The local touches and natural materials around infused the space with tropical charm, creating a sense of Island paradise.
Having had enough, Lia drifted back to reality, tiptoeing into the house through its silica door. She was greeted by the open-plan living space filled with natural lights. She was quite taken aback by the interiors of the house and every inch of them spoke of tales of wealth, none of which she hasn't seen before. From the elegant furnishings, with plush sofas, to the wooden accents, chandeliers, tall flower vase and tropical patterns.
Contrary to the outside of the house, the inside was painted black—majority of the parts—with lesser parts painted white. The color wasn't the only bizarre condition of the house but also, the quietness was deafening. Almost as if no life exist inside of it.
Could Derek be here at all? Has he been taken to prison while she was asleep?
Unsatisfied and wanting answers, Lia walked up the building through the stairs, her eyes searching for her brother at every instant. Upstairs, she looked down outside the large window and the floor-to-ceiling windows framing breathtaking ocean views made Lia feel like she was with nature. Soon, the pot belly man came wandering around. His yawning confirmed he had most likely just woken up from his sleep.
No, Derek is still here. Lia was sure of it.
She paced back slowly to avoid being caught by the man as he looked up, but it wasn't long until she collided with something.
And it wasn't a wall.